Arson suspected in fire at gay nightclub in Oak Park

Staff report

Oak Park officials say arson is suspected in a weekend fire that gutted a gay nightclub in the west suburb.

The village said it called in investigators from the state fire marshall's office "after determining there was probable cause to indicate arson may have been the cause" of the Sunday morning fire at the Velvet Rope Ultra Lounge at 728 Lake St.

Oak Park Police Commander Phyliss Howard said it’s unclear if the business was targeted because it was a gay club, but police are looking at that possibility. She wouldn't disclose any details of the investigation except to say "it is determined to be a suspicious fire."

The club's owner, Frank Elliot, said earlier that he believed the blaze was suspicious because derogatory messages were scrawled on the wall inside the burned-out club. Authorities were seen removing a piece of concrete wall and loading it onto a truck.

"I'm beyond shocked," said Elliott, 25. "I have nothing."

The fire was reported at about 6:25 a.m. Sunday after someone smelled smoke, said Oak Park Police Sgt. Anthony Thomas. Flames charred the inside of the club, but no injuries were reported.

Elliott said he left the club at 2 a.m. He said a door had been kicked in but a safe hadn't been removed from his office.

"My stomach has been in knots since 6:30 this morning," Elliott told WGN-TV. "My whole life, everything that I've worked for ... my whole life is on the line and I don't know what to think or even begin with."